Having big dreams but little money can lead to serious problems. That's the issue some Valley students are faced with when making the decision to attend college.
PSJA Memorial High School Senior Esther Herrera is planning to attend Texas A&M University for a career in physical therapy.
"There's really not a lot of physical therapy programs here and I want to become something better bigger for the community,” Herrera said.
If it weren't for financial aid, Herrera said she would picture a very different future for herself.
"(I’d have) a job - a regular job - like Wal-Mart or something,” Herrera said.
To make sure students meet the March 1st deadline to submit applications to most Texas universities, PSJA Memorial held a financial aid application workshop Saturday. Financial Aid Officer Vera Boda said students are even more scared of losing out on the funds with so many budget cuts going around.
For seniors like Ruben Gonzalez, having no financial aid, would mean no college.
"I would be at home,” Gonzalez said, “I don’t know - working to help my parents I guess, without financial aid."
With the national and state economies in a deficit, Boda said free money for students is now not only an option, but a necessity.
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